Media Statement – for immediate release 28 May 2007

Men Turned Away from Stopping Violence Programmes

Stopping Violence Programmes cannot cope with the number of men being sent to programmes without funding.

Men will be turned away from programmes unless funding matches demand for programmes, the National Network of Stopping Violence says.

The Government is running a multi-level campaign to stop family violence until 2010.

But Stopping Violence Services fears people seeking support as a result of the campaign will be turned away unless funding for services is increased to keep up with demand.

Figures from National Network of Stopping Violence agencies show that demand for services already outstrips funding.

Friendship House in Manukau:
• 60% of clients non-funded
• 132 men were referred to programmes from July 06 to March 07 without funding.

Whanganui Living Without Violence:
• 145 non-funded clients so far this year : 49 men, 47 women and 49 youth
• during 2005-06 this agency provided programmes for
o 114 youth but was funded for 34
o 83 men and women but was funded for 34
o 62 youth for anger/change programmes but funded for 5
o 50 women for the LOSS programme but funded for 10.

South Waikato Living Without Violence does not advertise its programmes for fear it won't be able to meet demand. This year this agency has:
• 15 non-funded clients
• had to turn down requests for
o violence management workplace programmes from several local businesses
o requests for programmes for women.

Preventing Violence in the Home in Auckland has taken 47 men on to programmes so far this year:
• 12 are funded by Probation
• 10 are funded through protection orders
• 24 are self-referred so receive no funding
• funding is withdrawn for missed sessions.

"The government's media awareness campaign about family violence begins in July. Friendship House has been assisting with the trialling of tv advertisements and we are pleased with what we've seen," Friendship House Director Vicki Sykes said.

"We are hopeful it will encourage people to seek support for family violence issues. However the campaign could be sabotaged if additional funding is not urgently approved to deal with current and anticipated demand for services."

Brian Gardner, national manager for National Network of Stopping Violence said "If a man turns up wanting help to stop using violence, we aren't going to say no sorry we aren't funded for you. Ultimately though, our services will not be able to continue to operate if they aren't properly funded for it.

"The government has got to increase resourcing for community agencies who work with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence if it's going to urge people to speak up about violence in their homes.

"This is a crisis in the making and a tragedy for New Zealand's very high rate of domestic violence if we can't help men who want to stop using violence," he said.

"We need funding to match demand so we can help and support New Zealanders wanting to stop using violence."

ENDS

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